Purdue Pharma LP, manufacturer of the prescription drug OxyContin, has announced that it will begin using RFID technology to track the drug from the manufacturing plant all the way to pharmacies. The company also announced that it will donate 100 handheld RFID readers to law enforcement agencies that typically investigate stolen pharmaceuticals.

OxyContin is a popular painkiller that is frequently stolen at different points in the distribution process, so it seems to be a good candidate for this trial of RFID tracking. Purdue will place an RFID tag in every bottle of medicine so that each can be traced back to its original source.

The company does not yet know which law enforcement agencies will receive donated readers (nor when), and it is attempting to find readers that are user-friendly as well as rugged enough to withstand the expected wear.

JOSHUA'S OPINION
This sounds like the best idea I have heard so far for the use of RFID technology. While stores like Wal-Mart are attempting to make the technology work for them in distribution, the threat of privacy issues weighs heavy on the minds of many. I really don't want anyone to be able to track my purchases based on such pervasive technology.

However, using RFID chips to track drug shipments seems to be a good idea. Not only will it deter thieves by its very nature, it will also ensure more powerful tracking of the small parts of a large bulk distribution operation. Purdue says that the change will cut down on paperwork, and that makes a lot of sense to me.

Of course, a thief with a brain will know to transfer the drug to other bottles at his or her earliest convenience … not that all thieves are that smart.

I just hope someone thinks to kill the RFID tag when a customer buys the medicine. Otherwise we may see more of the same privacy concerns we are seeing over RFID tags at retail stores.

USER COMMENTS 13 comment(s)

Same as Viagra then..(9:05am EST Fri Nov 19 2004)RFID tags were covered with the Viagra story earlier in the week.

- by Llort

I use RFID also(9:07am EST Fri Nov 19 2004)I had these implanted in my children's forehead. Now when they enter an off-limits place, the dog collar they are forced to wear gives them an electric shock. - by Stunned

Re: Stunned(9:22am EST Fri Nov 19 2004)that has to be the sickest thing I've heard this week…you are my new hero! - by the grudge

lol(9:27am EST Fri Nov 19 2004)me and a friend of mine had an idea like that..but it was to warn us when her psycho obsessed idiot stalker came onto the street, so we'd know he was around..and we could make a clean getaway… hmmmm - by Gir

Good Idea, but(9:35am EST Fri Nov 19 2004) It will not stop the resale by those who obtain the drugs by fraudulent perscriptions and sell them by the pill. - by RCAman

All ur bullets are belong to us(9:41am EST Fri Nov 19 2004)Next thing the govt will be doing is tracking bullets with RFID tags. This should get the flag wrapper, love it or leave it, conspiracy theorists reved up. - by AFreeMan

I dont think this is going to stop the sale or the theft of drugs. They are only taging a few bottles not the whole batch. They are not tracking the pills they track the box or bottle of pills.I dont think this will be effective but it does get the technology in to the market place were it can be abused in a more traditional way. trackin customers - by FreeKE

empty gesture by purdue pharma(12:28pm EST Fri Nov 19 2004)Purdue Pharma has made billions of dollars off of the overprescription and subsequent illegal sale of oxycontin. They know as well as anyone else that RFID tags will do little to stop oxycodone abusers. Perhaps they should stop contacting known narcotic abusers promoting the benefits of oxycontin instead of trying to cover their asses with this empty gesture - by Informed

cool…(2:08pm EST Fri Nov 19 2004)So… that means that all the oxy theifs have to do is get one of these RFID readers and they know EXACTLY what packages to steal to take them out of and then just promptly transfer them to a different container… I absolutely love ideas that are well thought out…. sounds almost like the MPAAs CD protection scheme that cost them tons of money and was disabled with a marker… hahahhahah!! - by My_$0.02

Stale(4:58pm EST Fri Nov 19 2004)

This was in the blundering mainstream media over a week ago!

- by ???

They can track(10:26am EST Mon Nov 22 2004)my sh!t now. All they need to do is put a tag in each pill and monitor my sewer pipe. - by Truth4U

michael jackson(4:37pm EST Thu Mar 24 2005)if you are from the ages of 1-10 then you are welcome to join my in my very special camp. you will never be alone and will feel very dirty. - by mj

perscriptions(6:58am EST Mon Nov 21 2005)i guess you take a chance everytime. i got thru one time. you're the geeks how do we out smart em? - by nuby